UPDATE: Hawaiian Electric ends wildfire safety watch for Big Island

Update at 6:15 p.m. Saturday, July 5, 2025: update: Based on wind and humidity conditions forecast for the remainder of the weekend, Hawaiian Electric ended its wildfire safety watch for Maui and Hawaiʻi Island but will continue to closely monitor weather conditions.

The company’s Public Safety Power Shutoff Program was not needed today (July 5).

If hazardous conditions suddenly return, it could be necessary to consider shutting off the power in communities with high wildfire risk, and Hawaiian Electric will make every effort to provide advance notice.

Customers in those high-risk areas are urged to keep their own emergency plans ready and stay informed.

Original post at 3:17 p.m. Saturday, July 5, 2025: Hawaiian Electric’s Public Safety Power Shutoff Program is in “watch” mode.

The electric utility reports that if high winds and dry weather conditions on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island intensify during the next 24 to 48 hours, it could proactively shut off power in communities with high wildfire risk.

Windy, dry conditions can lead to the risk of wildfire iginition in some areas.

During the watch period, customers in these areas are urged to prepare for the possibility of extended power outages.

“A watch doesn’t mean we will shut off power,” said said Hawaiian Electric Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Jim Alberts in the utility’s notice.

Officials are monitoring weather conditions closely.

“While we hope shutting off power won’t be necessary, we have to take this threat seriously and we urge our customers to be prepared and stay informed,” Alberts said.

Outages not related to the Public Safety Power Shutoff Program also could still occur because of high winds and other conditions.

Hawaiian Electric activated its Public Safety Power Shutoff emergency response plan, which also includes:

• Deploying spotters to monitor weather conditions and looking out for any fire risks.
• Coordinating with state and county emergency response officials.
• Urging customers to prepare for possible power outages, with safety as their main focus.

The electric utility urges customers to make it their top priority to:

• Check emergency equipment such as flashlights and lanterns (make sure they are operational and buy extra batteries), emergency generators, battery-operated radios and light sticks.
• Use battery-powered radio to listen for updates on weather conditions and possible public safety power shutoff activation.
• Check backup facilities if someone in your home is dependent on electrically powered, life-sustaining medical equipment.
• Plan where to go if an evacuation is ordered.
• Remember to take your medical equipment and medications with you if you need to go to the hospital or other emergency shelter.
• Make sure a portable generator — if you plan to use one — is placed in a well-ventilated area outside the home and carefully follow all instructions in the manufacturer’s manual.
• Set your refrigerator and freezer at their coldest settings. If power goes out, this will keep food fresher longer.
• Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronics. If an outage occurs, this will prevent damage to the equipment from surges when power is restored.
• Don’t venture out in the dark because you might not see a downed power line that could be energized and dangerous; avoid standing water and debris.
• Assume downed power lines are energized and dangerous. Stay at least 30 feet or more away from all power lines. Warn others to stay away.
• Call 9-1-1 for emergency help. Call the Hawaiian Electric Trouble Line for Hawaiʻi Island at 1-855-304-9191 for other assistance.

Hawaiian Electric will provide updates through the news media and the following mobile-friendly resources:

• Hawaiian Electric website.
• Twitter/X; Hawaiʻi Island specific.
• Facebook.
• Free mobile app available at the Apple Store or Google Play.

Call Hawaiian Electric’s toll-free Public Safety Power Shutoff Program hotline at 1-844-483-8666 or go visit the electric utility’s website for additional information.